Description

The Barranquilla Colombia Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) under construction in Puerto Colombia, Colombia. The Barranquilla Colombia Temple serves members from the following seven stakes and two districts in Colombia: Barranquilla Colombia El Carmen Stake, Barranquilla Colombia Hipodromo Stake, Barranquilla Colombia Paraiso Stake, Cartagena Colombia Los Alpes Stake, Cartagena Colombia Stake, Montería Colombia Stake, Santa Marta Colombia District, Sincelejo Colombia District, and Valledupar Colombia Stake.

History

 People from North America living in Cali and Bogotá made up most of the first 45 members. Then in May 1966, missionaries entered the country. Just five years later, there were 27 congregations meeting in 10 different cities. In 1975, a chapel was built. Today there are over 1 members organized into 29 stakes and 11 districts.^[1]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “New Temples Announced for France, Africa, Colombia, Utah and Wyoming,” 1 Oct. 2011.

Announcement

Church President Thomas S. Monson announced the Barranquilla Temple on October 1, 2011 during the Saturday morning session of the 181st Semiannual General Conference.^[2]Walker, Joseph (1 October 2011). “LDS general conference opens with the announcement of six new Mormon temples”. Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved 1 October 2011^[3]“Mormon church president announces plans for new temples in Utah, Wyoming, Colombia, Africa”. Washington Post. AP. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011

Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Barranquilla Colombia Temple took place on Saturday, 20 February 2016, in the 50th anniversary year of the Church in Colombia. Elder Juan A. Uceda, president of the South America Northwest Area, presided at the ceremony. It was no coincidence, he explained, that construction of the country’s second temple was beginning in that anniversary year. The hand of the Lord is at work. He challenged members to make temple attendance a regular family tradition, to hang photographs of the temple in their homes, and to conduct family history research. In his dedicatory prayer, he asked the Lord’s blessings on all who would participate in the temple’s construction including government leaders. Following the prayer, Church and civic leaders formally broke ground for the temple. Afterward, many more took the opportunity to turn a shovelful of dirt.^[4]”Ground is broken at site of future temple in Barranquilla, Colombia,” Church News 20 Feb. 2016, 1 Apr. 2016.

Thousands of others viewed the event, via satellite, in meetinghouses across the country. Also in attendance were local government, police and business leaders.

Open House

The public open house for the Barranquilla Colombia Temple was held from Saturday, November 3, 2018, through Saturday, November 24 except for November 4, 11, and 18, 2018.^[5]“Second Colombian Temple Opens for Free Public Tours”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-10-30

Youth Devotional

Youth were invited to attend a devotional especially for them on Saturday, 8 December 2018. President Oaks and Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greeted and spoke to Latter-day Saint youth in a special devotional.[ref”]Barranquilla Colombia Temple Is Dedicated,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 December 2018. [/ref]

President Oaks encouraged young people to study the Book of Mormon. He said, “Reading should be first on your list of what you do each day to learn the gospel and keep the commandments. The importance of the Book of Mormon is related to the testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”

During his remarks, Elder Soares told youth, “Whatever you do, keep your eyes on the temple. We invite you to go to the temple and do the vicarious work for your relatives and others. We are all transformed when we go to the temple.”

Dedication

The temple was dedicated on Sunday, December 9, in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dedication was broadcast to all congregations in Colombia.^[6]“Announcement of Temple Dedication Dates in Chile and Colombia: Second temple in both countries”, Newsroom, LDS Church, 2018-02-28

Before the first dedicatory session, President Oaks, Elder Soares, and members of the local Church leadership participated in the cornerstone ceremony. President Oaks explained that placing mortar around the cornerstone block is symbolic that the temple is complete.

He invited Church leaders, as well as, a young boy and a young girl to fill the cornerstone with mortar. President Oaks said, “These children represent the rising generation, the future leaders of the Church in Colombia.”[ref”]Barranquilla Colombia Temple Is Dedicated,” Newsroom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 December 2018. [/ref]

The Barranquilla Temple is the Church’s 161st temple worldwide and the second in Colombia, the first having been completed in Bogota in 1999; it is the 19th in South America. This temple will serve approximately 35,000 Latter-day Saints in Colombia’s northern regions.

Dedicatory Prayer

Dedication Order

The Barranquilla Colombia Temple is the second temple in Colombia; following the Bogotá Colombia Temple. It is the 161st Temple built in the world. At the time of it’s dedication there were 10 additional temples announced or under construction in South America. Additionally there were 10 temples under construction worldwide, with another 30 announced awaiting groundbreaking.

Presidents

Details

Location

Just outside of Barranquilla, in the picturesque oceanside community of Puerto Colombia across from Colegio Alemán, approximately two kilometers west of Barranquilla proper, the Barranquilla Colombia Temple rises from a hill located on the highway to Cartagena. The elvated property overlooks the Magdalena River- the biggest river in Colombia, and the ocean.^[7]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Nuevo Templo Mormón en Barranquilla, Colombia,” 26 Jun. 2012.

Exterior

Cladding

The exterior of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is Limestone block.

Windows

The windows on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple are stained art glass

Symbolism

Inscriptions

The inscription on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is at the top of the temple, at the base of the spire. The inscription is gilded and has been carved into the stone in Spanish.

SANTIDAD AL SEÑOR
LA CASA DEL SEÑOR

Cornerstone

The cornerstone on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is on the left hand corner when staring at the Temple front door. This is on the South east corner of the temple, East most face.

Spires and Moroni

Spire

There is a Single spire on the Barranquilla Colombia temple. It is on the center of the North East most end of the temple. The spire design is heavily influenced by the twin spires on the Iglesia de San Jose in Barranquilla Colombia.

Moroni

The Angel Moroni Statue on the Barranquilla Colombia Temple is a fiberglass replica of Karl Quilter’s 1982 Statue. The statue was placed upon the temple 15 November 2017 and faces North East by East.

Individuals and Contractors

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Sources and Links

Additional Articles

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